Lots of Changes and a little drama...

So, things have been a little stressful around here, but we are making it! I was headed up to be with Kendra during Immanuel's heart cath, last Wednesday, when I stopped to walk around at a Wal-Mart. I went to the rest room and noticed blood. I called my OB, who had me call 911. At the hospital they checked out the baby and said that she was fine and they were unsure of where the blood was coming from. After an exam they determined that I had a blood clot, which they removed, from an unknown source. They started me on antibiotics for the baby's lungs in case they would have to deliver her early. They also determined that I was at 1 and 20% effaced. So, they monitored me for contractions and watched the baby closely to make sure that she wasn't in distress. I spent two nights in the hospital. Jeff's dad brought him up and they retrieved my car from the Wal-Mart parking lot and he stayed with me. I was so relieved to see him!

Here I am the first night.


Here I am on Thursday sporting the shirt that I bought to be part of team Immanuel. I couldn't get it on over my IV, but I think you get the idea! Immanuel did great and he got discharged before I did! Yea Immanuel!!


Here is baby girl's heart rate on the machine as they were monitoring her.


So, the next week on Tuesday we saw my doc. He honestly had no idea what was going on, so he told me that I needed to be taking it easy until the baby comes. So, friends and Mom have been pitching in to help me out. I think Pa Pa James might even come and spend sometime with us! We need to keep baby girl in there just a little longer...

So, Natalie's friend Abbie has a big girl bed. I mentioned it to Natalie because it is getting so hard lifting her into her crib and she was all about it! So, off went the side of her crib and up went the rail. So far so good, she loves her new bed. We will see if it continues.

Natalie's potty training is going really well too. I am so proud of her, she is just growing up right before my eyes!!

Here she is in her new big girl bed.


Along with everything else, we have been doing a little remodeling in the bathroom. I know, we just built right? Well, we should have tried the shower stall before we bought, neither Jeff or I could lift our arms up in it!!

So, here is the old shower:

And here is the new shower. It is heaven on earth...


Natalie loves to take things with her when she goes places. So, we decided to get her a back pack so she could keep track of it all. She just loves it and she is so cute with it on.


Here are the two loves of my life (soon to be 3!) Aren't they just adorable?

So, I think that is it. Wow, I hope the month is calm before baby girl enters the world and we are having to figure out how to be a family of four!!

Valentines Day!

We had such a great Valentines day! Jeff got me the most magnificent chocolates from a little store here in town - they are to die for! They are also really beautiful too...

Natalie also got a very special Valentine from my step mom. She sent her a flower basket complete with teddy bear and Hershey Kisses. She loves the bear and thought it was so cool to get something delivered to her.


Natalie insisted on wiping her own nose the other night, but I think she missed a spot...

Natalie had a Valentines Day party at PAT. Here she is making a bag to collect her Valentines in. She is holding "baby", she goes everywhere with us.

Here we are making a hand print Valentine.

New Blog Design

I thought this new design was a great way to honor the new little lady that will be joining our family before we know it!

Little Sports Night - Baby Waves #2

So, last Friday we attempted Baby Waves again. Of course, little Ms. had her own ideas and decided to keep her face buried in my uterus or placenta. These are the best two photos that we got and I love the one of her sucking her thumb.




Last Monday was Little Sports Night. Natalie, Abbie and Emily got to participate in all kinds of fun things...dancing was on the top of Natalie's list. She enjoyed being with the cheerleaders.




She also tried soccer for the first time and I think she is a natural goalie.


There was also a part where the girls could ride bikes or ride in wagons. Of course, we opted for the wagon.

Natalie loved the floor scooters and tried it her own way!


Abbie and Natalie also took a turn at t-ball. I think there is a future for Abbie in t-ball!

Slice of Life

So, there hasn't really been anything special going on, but here is what we have been up to! Natalie has progressed a little with potty training, but it has been on her own time and on her own terms, but hey, what's new about that?

Natalie got this easel for Christmas and now she loves to play in it as a "house". It is too funny.


She also loves to eat off our plates. So, we were having refrigerator clean out and Jeff was having chili. I guess Natalie wanted it instead of the chicken I made for her!



Of course we had to go out in the snow for two seconds, but she had a great time and looks so cute in all her snow garb.

Natalie's hair is just now long enough to pull her hair up in pig tails, it looks so cute!




We went to a class at the zoo about hedgehogs and Natalie thought it was pretty interesting. Here is is petting a hedgehog.

This is her crawling around like a hedgehog.

Lots Going On!

Wow, we have been up to so much. I thought I would share some photos!

So, last week we went to Baby Waves to try and get a sneak peek of the new little one. I guess she had a different plan because she wouldn't stay still! These are the best photos we got and they aren't great. Of course we think she is just beautiful!




We took Natalie with us, but she was totally not interested. I had her wear her Big Sister shirt, but she thought it would be funny to put her blankie in front of it. So sassy.

The grocery store here in town now has little carts for the kids to use. I let Natalie use one for the first time when Dad was here with us and she thought she was big stuff!

We went to Kobe Steakhouse for my birthday and Natalie thought it was great! She even ate some of the soup.

Natalie and Emily were eating cookies the other day and Emily found a new way to enjoy the frosting!


Natalie is so ready to be a big sister. Here she is changing her baby's diaper. She can take one off and put one on all by herself. She is going to be such a big help.

For Christmas Mi Mi got Natalie a Barbie Mustang. Dad and Jeff put it together and it is a hit. We haven't put the battery in it yet, but they enjoy climbing in and out of it and turning on the radio. Oh, right after we took this photo Natalie peed in the car. She has been wanting to wear underwear, but doesn't have the hang of it yet!





Dad got Natalie a rocking horse for Christmas and she loves it!

Natalie and Dad.

Natalie and Mom.

I just think this photo is cute!

Dad and Natalie playing with her train.

I have a chair for Natalie to stand in to help me cook and sometimes there is enough room for two cooks in the kitchen. I love the looks both of the girls have.

Dad also got Natalie a Leapster for her birthday, you can see that she likes it. Below is her opening her gifts. She loves the crayons for the tub, the camera (which she has learned to use) and her very own laptop.





Natalie had Abbie over for a play date and the girls wanted to get in Natalie's bed. They were so cute snuggling together. I can see many sleepovers in their future! I am sure all the secrets they share will be about how great their Mom's are!

Dad, Natalie and I.

Jared, Me, Mom, Darryl and the star of the show, Natalie.